Sources tell News 12 that former Suffolk County Police Chief of Department James Burke is officially facing federal charges.

Sources say an indictment against Burke will likely be unsealed on Wednesday. He will then have to appear in court to be arraigned on charges stemming from a federal civil rights probe into a 2012 incident.

As News 12 previously reported, Burke had been under investigation after a man named Christopher Loeb, of Smithtown, accused Burke of beating him up. The incident happened after Loeb was arrested for allegedly stealing a duffel bag from Burke's department-issued SUV. Loeb has said that bag contained "nasty porn."

Several subpoenas were issued in that case, and sources say several officers were called to testify before a federal grand jury which is said to be looking into civil rights violations.

Burke's attorney told News 12 Tuesday night that it would be premature to comment on the situation. He says that at this point, Burke has not been arrested or told to surrender.

Burke abruptly retired from the department in October, citing family reasons.